Jarrod played Teal Cup for SA in 1993 alongside Tyson Edwards, Brendon Lade and Luke McCabe, being coached by Port Adelaide legend Russell Ebert with SA finishing runners up to Vic Metro. Jarrod made his League debut in 1994 for Centrals against West Adelaide, and played in the losing Grand Finals in 1995 and 1996. Jarrod was then chosen to be a member of Port Power’s inaugural squad , making his AFL debut in 1997 against Carlton at Football Park, joining the illustrious group of players to kick a goal with their first kick in AFL footy.

Unfortunately Jarrod was unable to command a regular spot at Port and was delisted by the Power at the end of the 1998 season. In his footy career, Jarrod was a left footed half foward opportunist. Jarrod arrived at the Parade in 1999 after being unable to negotiate more midfield time under Peter Jonas’ coaching at Centrals, which he felt was needed to add more strings to his bow and help his chances of getting a second AFL opportunity. Jarrod’s career at Norwood well and truly had it’s highlights, being the most recent Norwood player to kick 10 goals in a game against Port in 2002 and being lead goalkicker with 42 goals also in 2002. Jarrod admits being dropped towards the end of the 2002 season was deeply disappointing and then seriously injuring his back, and with not only no guarantee re League position or his back standing up to the rigours of League footy, he was going to retire but South Adelaide were very persuasive, on reflection Jarrod wishes he had stayed at the Parade. Jarrod lists his career highlights as his League debut at both SANFL and AFL level and playing State footy in 99 having a very good individual game kicking 3 goals and playing in a winning side against WA. The build up and week and then playing in 3 Grand Finals, albeit losing ones, were a highlight and lowlight, feeling the 1996 loss as being the flag that got away.

In 1995 Centrals had just been rapt to have made the GF and partied away.
In 1999 The Redlegs had come from the elimination final and injuries and crucial errors in the last quarter caught up with us (grrrrrr so close yet so far). Jarrod lists the highly respected Alan Stewart (his first League coach) as a significant influence and mentor.

Jarrod has been extremely honest in his coaching career, admitting after being persuaded to take up the role as caretaker coach of Norwood in 2009 that he wasn’t ready to put his hat in the ring and didn’t desire to take on the role in 2010, needing more experience first. He assisted Nathan Bassett in 2010 and 2011 and then coached the reserves in 2012,
alas losing the GF. He arrived at the Adelaide Crows after taking a year off in 2013, assisting Heath Younie in the Crows SANFL team in 2014 and then working closely with Darren Milburn re defensive side of the game in 2014 (Jarrod enjoyed working and learning from both Heath and Darren and along with Nathan Bassett are strong influences on his coaching philosophies).

Jarrod acknowledges the late Phil Walsh, being in awe of his charisma and unique ability to make each individual desire to learn and improve not only as a coach but as a person. Every single time they were in the company of the great man, Jarrod described that you would virtually sit up at attention and listen just so intently to Phil. Jarrod describes being interviewed by Phil as an incredible footy experience, being both intimidating and exhilarating at the same time. As the footy world acknowledges, the impact Phil had on so many people can never ever be underestimated (in interviewing Jarrod the chance to talk about Phil is something I cherished greatly).

The lure of the Parade and the chance to return was something Jarrod found impossible to resist, he really enjoyed the role of Director of Coaching, being involved heavily across the whole club, juniors and seniors, and it was only a change of circumstances at the Norwood FC and after consulting with his mentors after being offered the job he finally decided he was ready to coach the Norwood. It was interesting talking with Jarrod re society changes to a large extent in near on the last decade where in his stint as caretaker coach in 2009 you could be demanding and nearly my way or the highway, whereas now days it’s more explaining why where going to go in that direction and working together. There were significant improvements in 2017, particularly in our ability to score but injuries and lack of depth were crucial factors in us falling away in the last month, in particular losing the elimination final convincingly.

Jarrod’s style is that defensive structures are important with the club recognising our lack of height and key forwards were crucial, the recruiting of Daniel Johnston and Luke Surman addressing that need. Jarrod agrees there were times we over possessed the footy and also continuing to work on improving our decision making and when to pull the trigger and go long. With the recruiting of Declan Hamilton, Mitch Wilkins, Luke Wilson, Caleb Edmead,
Michael Talia and Will Abbott along with the youth of Isaac Vivian Alexander Hewson,
Lachlan Charlton, Brodie Carroll, Col Gerloff and some others means we will, barring multiple injuries, have 30 plus players pushing for spots which helps drive elite standards. There could well be experienced players being trialled in new positions.

Cottsy, great Norwood man. Another person who the club recruited not only for his footy talent, but also for his personal qualities. In 2009 he helped start the Norwood resurgence when a take over coach. New team rules, new expectations and accountability to each player. Looking forward to a big 2018 from the boys and have total faith he will get the job done.
Personally, I would like to thank Cottys for having faith in my ability by playing me in the midfield in 2009. Great coaching move??.

Jarrod has an interesting football background which should be a good preparation for a successful coaching career. The club appears to have recruited well over summer and should be able to build on the work done last year. Best wishes, Jarrod – we look forward to seeing the boys in action and to experience the highs and (not too many) lows of the 2018 season.

Looks like a lot of hard work has been done in preparing for 2018. It’d be great to win the Flag in this year being the Clubs 140th Year and 40th anniversary of the ’78 Flag. Maybe rolling Sturt by a point in the GF (again!).

Campbell,Steve and Manny thank you.Zorza v well put I really enjoyed the privledge of interviewing,Cotts and yep personal qualities a vital quality and yep moving you in to the midfield was crucial to our success.Thanks Martin and yep hopefully plenty of highs,thanks Ben,Mark definitely go the legs
Thank you

Bill apart from the heart that would be superb thanks Chris and glad I ran in to you in the change of innings in big bash final ( signed 5 Norwood members up ) thanks James.Michael I desp home I am doing a Premiership write up.Geoff the influence Phil Walsh had on so many people is remarkable thanks,Danny,thanks Litza ( bloody face book police supposedly saying the article was spam hasn’t helped it got reinstated the following day not happy Jan ) thanks folks

Great write Mal Jarrod was another great reccuit Norwood was able get a hold off and make an impact as a not only a great player but now a great coach.He Norwood has a always recruited great people who fit straight in and have a impact and he is one ..Your a awesome person and awesome footballer Cotts it was a pleasure to play along side and nearly get a premiership with u in 99..Oba

Smokie thank you and indeed it is.Paul hope so.Neags appreciated totally agree re,Cotts calm nature and measured outlook is indeed a strength.Raj v much so.Thanks Shane.Luke no complulsory re every youngster who is named,Isaac becomes Isaac Vivian Alexander normally gets a smirk from each older parent who is in to cricket umpiring junior footy on a Saturday morning thanks folks

Malcolm I really enjoy your approach. Direct, honest, informative and interesting. You have the rare ability to let the personality of the person being interviewed being totally understood. Well done mate. Jarrod is a great story well told.

Another cracker, Rulebook. Interesting the reflection on coaching players 10 years ago compared to now. That need to build consensus within the team as opposed to just demanding it requires much greater emotional intelligence from coaches. The depth issue last year was frustrating, and getting outbodied later on in the season. Fingers crossed for a good run with injuries this year.

Thanks AK greatly appreciated.Mickey I reckon all the other SANFl clubs are hoping that Port gets some injuries.Dave yes it was fascinating talking with Jarrod re the changes of communication both in footy and society wise depth wise we are better off but injuries as we know are the killer totally agree re the outbodied aspect late in 2017.Thanks Cameron,KJ and Wren

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